FOXGLOVE

a common British plant, Digitalis purpure a, nat. ord. Scrophulariacese.. It grows on banks, pastures, ., in hilly and especially subalpine and rocky countries in Europe. Its flowers are campanulate, and somewhat resembling the finger of a glove. Itis one of the most stately and beautiful of the British herbaceous plants, and one that has great reputation as a medicinal plant, being employed as a sedative, narcotic, and diuretic in diseases of the heart and in dropsy. Its medic in a] properties are due to the poisonous substance known as digitalin (q.v.). A decoction or infusion of the leaves is what is generally used. The flowers are usually purple, but sometimes white. Several species are grown in gardens, such as D, grandiflora and D. lutea, with yellow flowers, and D. ferruginea with brown, FOXHOUND, a hound for hunting foxes, a variety of hound in which are combined, in the highest degree of exeellence, fleetne , strength, spirit, fine scent, perseverance, and subordination. The foxhound is smaller than the staghound, its average height being from 20 to 22 inches. It is supposed to be a mixed breed between the staghound or the bloodhound and the greyhound. It is commonly of a white colour with patches of black and tan.